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An example of a least dragonmark, the Mark of Warding.
Dragonmarks are physical manifestations of the Draconic Prophecy. They have appeared on seven of Khorvaire's common races. They are more intricate than a birthmark and more distinct than a tattoo. There are twelve families of dragonmarks, known as the dragonmarked houses. Originally there were thirteen, but no living creature on Eberron possesses the destroyed Mark of Death of House Vol. In addition to being a status symbol in Khorvaire, the dragonmarks provide the bearer with magical talents.
Aberrant Dragonmarks[]
Aberrant dragonmarks can be clearly distinguished from a standard house dragonmark and no two are alike.
The dragonmarks are passed through bloodlines and when two members of different dragonmarked families reproduce it often results in what are called 'aberrant dragonmarks'. The aberrant marks do not manifest the same way each time, so it is possible for two individuals with completely different looking marks to produce the same magical effect using the mark. Indeed, each aberrant dragonmark is completely unique to its bearer. Originally aberrant marked were seen as outcasts and outsiders. Often they were shunned by the houses and eked out a pitiful existence. Many members bearing these aberrant dragonmarks have since united in their differences and formed House Tarkanan, most notably present in Sharn.
Manifestations[]
A cleric uses this dragonmark to its full potential.
Dragonmarks typically appear in the bearer's adolescence as they pass through puberty, but this is not exclusively the case. There are three distinct manifestations of each dragonmark that correlate in size, intricacy, and power. As the dragonmark gains power (from least to greater) it will expand in size and complexity rather than forming a different mark. Often the mark will manifest first as the least mark and through study and focus the bearer increases their power and with this increase, the dragonmark also increases, granting additional abilities. However, there are some who will manifest a lesser mark or even greater mark without explanation. House members who manifest even the least dragonmark, however, can expect at least some change in their lifestyle as they find new and better employment opportunities within their house guilds as well as new social avenues to explore.
Heir of Siberys[]
Rurik d'Kundarak, a dwarf fighter with the Siberys Mark of Warding.
Much rarer are the so-called Heirs of Siberys who possess the Siberys mark, which covers much, if not all, of their body. Siberys marks are named after the progenitor dragon Siberys. A dragonmarked individual might labor all of their life and never manifest the Siberys Mark, while an unmarked member of a house bloodline might suddenly manifest the mark overnight. It is unpredictable and unexplained, despite steady research by top minds across Khorvaire. The Siberys mark grants the bearer extraordinary power based upon which mark they manifest. These Siberys dragonmarks can lead otherwise unknown or undiscovered members of a house to suddenly rise in importance within their own ranks and those who were formerly unmarked may have a hard time adjusting to this new fame.
The Dragonmarks[]
- The Mark of Detection (House Medani, half-elf)
- The Mark of Finding (House Tharashk, half-orc, human)
- The Mark of Handling (House Vadalis, human)
- The Mark of Healing (House Jorasco, halfling)
- The Mark of Hospitality (House Ghallanda, halfling)
- The Mark of Making (House Cannith, human)
- The Mark of Passage (House Orien, human)
- The Mark of Scribing (House Sivis, gnome)
- The Mark of Sentinel (House Deneith, human)
- The Mark of Shadow (House Phiarlan and House Thuranni, elf)
- The Mark of Storm (House Lyrandar, half-elf)
- The Mark of Warding (House Kundarak, dwarf)
- The Mark of Death (House Vol) (elf, currently "lost")
- Aberrant Dragonmarks (House Tarkanan, any)
Appendix[]
Background[]
Originally, in 3.5 edition, in the Eberron Campaign Setting, the least, lesser, and greater dragonmarks were acquired as feats by player-characters and non-player characters alike, while the Siberys mark was obtained only through the heir of Siberys prestige class. The aberrant dragonmar is also gained as a feat.
In 4th edition, in Eberron Player's Guide, the different levels of dragonmark were streamlined into one dragonmark that can be taken as a feat by players.
In 5th edition, in Rising from the Last War, dragonmarks are presented as variant race (or subrace) traits. There is no least/lesser/greater distinction, though at 3rd level most have a slight increase in power. Aberrant dragonmarks are presented as a feat with the prerequisite of having no other dragonmark. There is an optional rule provided for a percentage chance of greater aberrant powers at 10th level (or each level afterward if there is no success on the first roll).
References[]
- Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 47, 62–63, 80–81. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
- David Noonan, Ari Marmell, and Robert J. Schwalb (2009). Eberron Player's Guide. (Wizards of the Coast). ISBN 0-7869-5100-1.
- Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 37–52. ISBN 0786966890.
